Man pleads guilty to porn charge

February 28, 2013

FONDA - An Amsterdam man pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Wednesday to having child pornography and is facing up to six months in jail.

Richard W. Smith, 44, of 165 Guy Park Ave., Apartment 3, Amsterdam, pleaded guilty to possessing the sexual performance of a child Wednesday, according to the office of Montgomery County District Attorney James "Jed" Conboy.

Smith was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child on Jan. 8.

Smith faces a possible six months in jail, followed by 10 years of probation.

Police said Smith had his computer seized by city police in July, where child porn was allegedly found. Police said an investigation led to a search of Smith's apartment. Police said during the search, officers seized several photos of underage girls engaging in sexual acts.

Smith is expected to be sentenced April 22.

In other County Court news Wednesday:

Guerra-Santos was charged after he had stabbed his mother's boyfriend several times Jan. 29. Amsterdam police said the victim survived and received treatment at St. Mary's Hospital.

According to the district attorney's office, Guerra-Santos is expected to get six months in jail, five years probation and will have to pay $2,836 in restitution.

Guerra-Santos is expected to be sentenced April 24.

Jessop, who pled guilty in December to second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, was charged in October for producing and cashing three fraudulent payroll checks.

In August, Vasquez shot at several people on Union Street in Amsterdam from a vehicle.

Vasquez is expected to get three to six years in a state prison. He is expected to be sentenced April 8.